The ’70s and ’80s were a golden age for movies, and while some films gave us satisfying, neatly tied-up endings, others left us scratching our heads. Whether it was a surreal twist, an ambiguous conclusion, or just a flat-out confusing resolution, these movie endings sparked debates, theories, and heated discussions that lasted for years. Here are 12 movie endings from the ’70s and ’80s that left audiences completely baffled—some in a good way, and others… not so much.
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey was a visual masterpiece, but its ending still has viewers scratching their heads decades later. After an epic journey through space, astronaut Dave Bowman enters a bizarre, color-drenched vortex and finds himself in a strange, elegant room. As he ages rapidly, we see him transform into a fetus-like “Star Child,” floating above Earth. It’s stunning, symbolic, and completely bewildering.
The ending was meant to be open to interpretation, and boy, did audiences interpret. Was it about evolution, rebirth, or humanity’s connection to a higher power? Kubrick never provided a definitive explanation, which only fueled the confusion. Some embraced it as genius, while others left theaters muttering, “What just happened?” Either way, it cemented 2001 as one of the most discussed films of all time.
2. The Shining (1980)
Another Kubrick film, The Shining, delivered an unsettling ending that still keeps fans debating. After Jack Torrance descends into madness and meets his end in the snowy maze, the film cuts to a mysterious black-and-white photo hanging in the Overlook Hotel. There, we see Jack smiling at a 1921 party, suggesting he’s always been a part of the hotel’s dark history.
Was Jack reincarnated? Was the hotel playing tricks with time? Or was it all a metaphor for the cyclical nature of violence? Kubrick’s cryptic approach left viewers with more questions than answers. The ambiguity made the ending terrifyingly effective, proving that sometimes, the scariest thing is not knowing.
3. Blade Runner (1982)
Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner is a sci-fi classic, but its ending was anything but straightforward. After Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) escapes with the replicant Rachael, he discovers a small origami unicorn left by his colleague Gaff. The cryptic object implies that Gaff knows Deckard’s dreams, leading many to believe Deckard himself might be a replicant.
The movie’s ambiguity sparked endless debate. Is Deckard human or not? Ridley Scott later confirmed he intended Deckard to be a replicant, but the film’s star, Harrison Ford, has argued otherwise. With multiple versions of the movie released over the years, each with slight tweaks to the ending, the confusion has only deepened.
4. The Ending of Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Comedy fans adored Monty Python and the Holy Grail, but its ending was a curveball no one saw coming. Just as King Arthur and his knights are about to storm a castle to retrieve the Holy Grail, the police show up, arrest everyone, and abruptly end the film. No grand finale, no resolution—just a bizarre, anticlimactic halt.
The intentionally absurd ending was classic Monty Python humor, but it confused viewers expecting a proper conclusion. Some loved the joke, while others left theaters feeling cheated. Even today, it’s a reminder that the troupe never played by traditional rules, for better or worse.
5. Planet of the Apes (1968)
The original Planet of the Apes is famous for its shocking twist ending. After spending the entire movie on a mysterious, ape-dominated planet, astronaut George Taylor (Charlton Heston) stumbles upon the Statue of Liberty, realizing he’s been on Earth all along. Humanity destroyed itself, leaving the apes to inherit the planet.
The twist was jaw-dropping, but it left audiences with more questions than answers. How did society fall apart so completely? What happened between Taylor’s time and the ape takeover? The film’s sequels tried to fill in the gaps, but the original ending remains a haunting, ambiguous commentary on human folly.
6. Don’t Look Now (1973)
This eerie thriller follows a grieving couple in Venice who are haunted by visions of their deceased daughter. The ending takes a shocking turn when Donald Sutherland’s character, John, chases what he thinks is his daughter’s ghost, only to be killed by a mysterious figure in a red raincoat—a figure that turns out to be a dwarf serial killer.
The abrupt, violent climax left audiences stunned. Was it a supernatural warning, or was John’s death just a tragic coincidence? The film’s dreamlike tone made it hard to distinguish reality from imagination, ensuring the ending stayed with viewers long after the credits rolled.
7. Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975)
Peter Weir’s haunting Picnic at Hanging Rock tells the story of a group of schoolgirls who mysteriously vanish during a trip to Hanging Rock in Australia. The film offers no explanation for their disappearance, ending with a sense of eerie uncertainty that frustrated many viewers.
Was it a supernatural event, a psychological breakdown, or something else entirely? The film’s refusal to provide answers became its defining feature, turning it into a cult classic that still puzzles audiences to this day. The ambiguity turned the story into an atmospheric, unforgettable mystery.
8. Time Bandits (1981)
Terry Gilliam’s Time Bandits was a whimsical, chaotic journey through history, but its ending took a dark and unexpected turn. After the young protagonist Kevin helps the bandits defeat Evil, his parents touch a mysterious piece of Evil and are vaporized. The film ends with Kevin standing alone as fire engines rush toward his burning house.
The sudden tonal shift left audiences bewildered. Was it a dream, or was Kevin truly abandoned in a world without his parents? Gilliam’s penchant for subverting expectations made the ending unforgettable, if not entirely satisfying.
9. The Black Hole (1979)
Disney’s The Black Hole was an ambitious sci-fi adventure that took a dark turn in its final moments. After a perilous journey into a black hole, the crew experiences a surreal sequence involving heaven, hell, and a seemingly infinite void. The imagery was haunting, and the lack of explanation only added to the confusion.
Was it a spiritual metaphor, or was it meant to be taken literally? The film’s mix of hard sci-fi and metaphysical musings left audiences debating its meaning for years. It’s a bizarre but memorable ending that cemented The Black Hole as a cult classic.
10. Phantasm (1979)
This horror classic followed a group of friends battling the mysterious Tall Man and his deadly silver spheres. The ending revealed that much of the story might have been a dream, only for the Tall Man to reappear in a final scare, leaving audiences questioning what was real.
The film’s dreamlike logic and open-ended conclusion baffled viewers but set the stage for multiple sequels. Its surreal tone made it a standout in the horror genre, even if it left us scratching our heads.
11. Brazil (1985)
Terry Gilliam’s dystopian masterpiece Brazil ended on a bleak and disorienting note. Just as it seems the protagonist, Sam Lowry, has escaped the clutches of the oppressive government, the film reveals that his happy ending was all a fantasy. In reality, Sam has been captured and lobotomized.
The jarring twist left audiences feeling as hopeless as the film’s protagonist. Was it a critique of escapism, or a reminder of the crushing power of authoritarian systems? Either way, Brazil’s ending ensured it would remain a topic of discussion for years to come.
12. The Thing (1982)
John Carpenter’s The Thing delivered one of the most famously ambiguous endings in horror history. After battling the shape-shifting alien, MacReady (Kurt Russell) and Childs (Keith David) are left alone in the Antarctic cold, unsure if either of them is infected. The film ends with the two sharing a drink as the camp burns around them, their fates left unknown.
The unresolved tension made the ending both frustrating and brilliant. Fans have debated ever since: Was one of them the Thing, or were they both human? Carpenter’s refusal to provide answers only added to the film’s legacy as a masterpiece of paranoia and suspense.
The ’70s and ’80s gave us some of the most iconic films, and their confusing endings kept us thinking long after the credits rolled. These ambiguous conclusions might have left us bewildered, but they also made these movies unforgettable. Whether you loved or hated them, one thing is for sure—they left a lasting impression.
